Game apparatus.



PATR-MRD JAN. zo, 1903. R. W. HARRIS R J'. R. HOLMES.' l

GAME APPARATUS APPLICATION PILBDJULY 29, 1902.

`N0 MODEL.

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ROBERT W. HARRIS AND JAMES R. HOLMES, OF PLEASANTON, KANSAS.

GAME APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,623, dated January 20, 1903.

Application filed July 29,1902.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that we, ROBERT W. HARRIS and JAMES R. HOLMES, citizens of the United States, residing at Pleasanton, in the county of Linn and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable Aothers skilled in the'art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to game apparatus.

The object is to provide a game apparatus combining instruction and amusement with the requirement of some degree of skill in the playing of the game and which is simple of construction, inexpensive of production, and adapted for the use of both young and old.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination and arrangement of parts, which Will be hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a top plan view of a game apparatus embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a section of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view showing one of the counters. Fig. 4 is a View of one of the playing-cards.

In carrying out our invention we provide a board l, preferably square and having the corners square or slightly rounded. At the center of this board-vl. e., at an equal distance from each of the corners-is arranged a vertical post 2, provided with a covering 3, of rubber or other elastic material, forming a rebounding-surface. Extending from each corner to the central post is a valley L of proper width, governed by the size of the board, and extending from the four sides of the board are elevated triangular pieces having their points spaced or set some distance back from the post and having their edges covered with strips 6, of felt, rubber, or some other suitable cushioning material. The valleys of the board are preferably made of billiard-cloth, while the upper surfaces of the triangular pieces, which may be of Wood, are preferably left plain or uncovered. On the outer surface of each side of the board a counter is placed and may consist of a metal Serial No. 117,521. (No model.)

plate 7, provided with two rows or sets of pegreceiving holes 8 and 9, one to be used to count games won and the other to keep account of set-backs in playing the same.

The game is played whollywin the valleys of the board. For playing the game twelve men 10 are used, which are desirably arranged, as shown, one adjacent to the point of each triangle and two in each valley, in proximity to the edges of the adjoining triangles. Four balls 11, one for each player, are also used in the playing of the game and are propelled by cue or fingers along the valleys from the corners of the board toward the central post, the players being positioned at the corners of the board and playing in regular turn or rotation. In the case of each player the object of the game is to shoot the ball down the valley and strike the post 2, causing the bali to rebound andeither strike one of the cushions 6 or men l0. If one of the men in the channels is knocked down, a point is made and counted and entitles the player to a draw from the historical cards,

hereinafter described.' If two or more men are knocked down at one shot, the player is entitled to as many points and can'draw as many cards as he has men down. In case a player should miss the center post he is set back a number of points, which are noted upon his counter. Also should his ball strike the post and knock down either of the men at the points of the two triangles nearest the player a set-back will be counted for each man knocked down. The player continues to play until he fails to knock down a man, misses the post, or knocks down the two men nearest him, as noted above, when the next playerl takes his turn. The principle of the game in execution of the shots is similar to billiards, as considerable skill in caroming may be acquired.

As part of the game we employa pack of cards on which may be printed a complete history of the United States or any other instructive matter. This historical or other matter may be arranged in, say, iifty chapters of two huudred words to a chapter, one chapter being printed on each card, making fifty cards to be used. In Fig. 3 of the drawings a card 12 of this character, in which the body of printed matter is represented by dotted lines,is shown.

IOO

In some place in the body of each chapter a date or number of prominence will be printed in type of a different kind from that used in the body of the chapter, which date or number will correspond with the number of the card upon which it is printed, Said dates or numbers running from l to 5O.7 A player, known as the dealer, takes these cards, shuttles them, and lays them face down upon the triangle of the board at his right. When a player scores, he is allowed a draw of one card from the deck for each point scored. He takes his card and by glancing over the printed matter can see the number of same, and the game is played until all the cards are drawn. lVhen all the cards are drawn, the players count by adding the numbers they have drawn and deducting the sum-total of their set-backs. In a four-hand game the partners having the highest collective number of points win the game.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accom panying drawing our invention will be readily understood, and it will be seen that the game is instructive to young and old alike from the fact that a good general idea 0f the historical or other matter printed on the cards may be obtained in the playing of the game, knowledge in this manner being practically forced upon the players. Also, while skill is a factor in making shots, a certain amount of chance is present in drawing the cards, so that a poor player may be lucky in drawing and win the game. This element of chance, as well as the amusement and interest created by the shots made, renders the game highly fascinating to thc players and spectators.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacricing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A square game-board having an inclosing upwardly-extending flange around its sides, triangular pieces at the sides having their points inwardly directed and forming between them an X-shaped channel providing a plurality of converging runways extending from the corners to the center of the board, and having parallel sides, and a caromingpin at the point of convergence of said runways, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT W. HARRIS. JAMES R. HOLMES. Witnesses:

J oHN T. LEIB, BENJAMIN F. SALLIE. 

